Wednesday, January 20th 2016, 7:58 pm
The U.S. Secret Service escorted the Mounds police chief out of Tulsa's Mabee Center on Wednesday because he was carrying his gun, he says.
Chief Tim McDaniel was there with his family to see Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump speak. He was in uniform when he was told he either needed to check his gun or leave.
"I think it's interesting, because in Mr. Trump's debate the other night, he actually said that officers are some of the most mistreated people in the country, and I come up to see the man and I'm mistreated,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel said he didn't want to cause a scene, so he left and was escorted out.
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He said he told the agents that state law says he's allowed to carry his service weapon inside while in uniform, but the agents told him federal law says he can't.
Other law enforcement sources in the state say most police departments have policies their officers cannot be apart from their service weapon while in uniform.
After the event, McDaniel posted on his personal Facebook page about the ordeal.
“So I go to the Trump rally and go inside in this uniform, as I am on duty on my lunch break. I go in and go upstairs with my family and pick out our seats. I then get approached by either secret service, or FBI who ask me if Im part of the meet and greet! I say no but id love to be, thinking I was fixing to get an invite. Well on the contrary, they tell me I cant be there with my gun on, and that I will have to leave or check my gun! Well I tell them I wont check my gun, and why in the world can I not be here in uniform with full credentials? They tell me its federal law and policy that a full time state certified Police officer cannot be in the audience of a presidential candidate making a speech. Now I see cops everywhere, and granted they are part of the detail, but REALLY, you dont want a Police officer in uniform sitting in the audience? Correct me if Im wrong, but isnt Trump PRO GUN? And didnt I just hear him say in his last debate, that "police officers are some of the worst treated people in this country"? So I stand a bit confused. I did leave without incident, because its the right thing to do, but I disagree with it whole heartedly. Please note that [there] were officers present who know me! #feelinglikeoneoftheworsttreatedpeopleinamerica"
January 20th, 2016
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